The Renova Foundation adopts measures to protect the health and well-being of employees and society, as well as economic actions, in the midst of the spread of the new coronavirus in Brazil. Decisions are made based on the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Health.
The provisions cover both direct and outsourced employees who work in the foundation’s administrative area, as well as those involved in construction and other reparation activities carried out in the field, such as forest restoration and the repair of rural properties.
The Renova Foundation monitors the spread of the coronavirus throughout the affected territory and will continue to adopt, where necessary, prevention and safety actions by region in accordance with regional, national and international protocols.
What has been done:
Health care support
- At the request of the Mariana Municipal Office, the Renova Foundation resumes the construction of the Children’s Psychosocial Care Center (CAPSij). The building was already in its final phase of construction and delivery is scheduled for April. Upon completion, the facility will be used for emergency actions carried out in the municipality in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
- The approximately 70 health and social protection professionals working in Mariana and Barra Longa continue serving the affected public under the management of the municipal health secretaries.
Community and those affected
- Maintenance of the Emergency Financial Aid (AFE) payment program.
- The loss of profit payment for 2019 was expected to end on March 31. It was necessary to extend the deadline, given the social isolation guidelines everyone has to follow. The Renova Foundation continues to serve those affected who have not been served yet, remotely, so they are not compromised.
- The offices of the Mediated Indemnity Program (PIM) and the Information and Service Centers (ISCs) were closed. The 0800-service line remains active, with the team adopting protocols for the prevention and adaptation of their work routine.
- Water supply in the towns that depend on the Renova Foundation – by water tank trucks and distribution of gallons of mineral water – is kept in place. Also continuing are the water pumping in Linhares and maintenance work at the sanitary landfills in Mariana and at the construction sites, but with a reduced number of employees.
Construction works halted and remote administrative services
- Administrative work is done remotely since March 16.
- On March 23, resettlement works and actions carried out in the field were halted and administrative sectors started working remotely.
- Emergency response teams remain active. In Bento Rodrigues, a team of 50 professionals will be available. In Paracatu de Baixo, 41 employees are still on site. To assist in cases of family resettlements and housing, 15 professionals will be available.
The Foundation reinforces that all matters that may impact the resettlement deadlines are handled through Public Civil Action.
Field work
- Field activities remain suspended. The measure covers collective training and activities. Seedling production activities for forest restoration will not be discontinued, adopting preventive measures.
- In the Upper Doce River region, animal feed supply and animal care activities at the Castro Farm and Agua Branca Farm continue, with actions to mitigate the risks of contamination or spread of the virus.
Financial maintenance of employees, partners and suppliers
- Contracts and agreements with third parties and suppliers will be maintained.
- The hiring of new suppliers and partners that were already planned will be done remotely.
- Anticipation of the payment of invoices to more than a thousand suppliers, who received a total value of more than R$ 85 million. The average payment period has been reduced from 30 to 5 days.
- Payment, in full, of salaries and benefits to direct employees during the stoppage period.
Reliable information
Since the Renova Foundation serves all kinds of audiences, it is distributing reliable information about the coronavirus.
- Communication with the territory was expanded and the affected population is receiving information about the coronavirus through the official channels of the foundation, placing the knowledge of the team and its partners at the service of the communities.
- Through Radio programs and WhatsApp messages, information is shared throughout the territory about coronavirus prevention, mental health, financial tips, among others.